Demagogues and Democrats
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In the first paper in 'The Federalist Papers', Alexander Hamilton wrote:
"... a dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the forbidding appearance of zeal for the firmness and efficiency of government. History will teach us that the former has been found a much more certain road to the introduction of despotism than the latter, and that of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people, commencing demagogues and ending tyrants."
How many of the readers agree to this I don't know. But this made me think. Made me rethink about all the speeches and interviews Maoists' leaders are giving in recent days. In all of those speeches, only point they try to make is that they are fighting for the people. Whenever asked about their existing local governing bodies all over Nepal and whether they would be willing to dismantle them once they join the government, they never gave a clear cut answer.
We cannot handle two governments. Maoists' local governing bodies are still functioning even during the ceasefire. They are still abducting people without any explanations. This has to stop. Most of us agree, we need to restructure the political, economic, and adminstrative structure. That doesnot mean Maoists' can imose their will upon us over the strength of their gun. National restructuring is a big issue. It warrants an active national debate. Whatever they think is good, they have to provide justification for that. We should be allowed to rebuke them if we feel like they are wrong. Social issues are very complex for a small group of people to decide. Actually, that was the one of the main reasons hardcore communism failed everywhere in the world. They failed to account for the inherent inequality among humans. If they try to impose their will upon us, they are bound to fail this time again.
I have been thinking a lot about what can happen. Most of the time I am very positive and optimistic about the future. I believe 'Naya Nepal Sambhav Chha.' I believe that Maoists' leadership is sincere in the things they are saying. I don't see any reason to doubt them. But sometimes I get really scared. Violence is a culture. Once you are into it, it becomes a part of you. Both the armies we have are violent. Both of them have history of various Human Rights as well as Geneva Convention violations. Couple of weeks ago, RNA personnel abducted Sapna Gurung from her house, raped her and killed her by shooting at a point-blank range. Next day they killed five more people who went to protest Sapana's murder. On the other side, during the ceasefire, PA is involved in various abduction cases without any explanations.
Discussions about arms management are going on for some time among us. Mostly the thrust of the discussions is how to bring RNA under civil leadership. Occasionally, people bring out issues about Maoists' People's Army, its leadership, and its loyalty. RNA is trained to be loyal to royal family. PA is trained to be loyal to the party. My question is, how can we trust one over another? Not only before the Constituent Assembly Election, even after the election of Contituent Assembly. And even after the integration of both the armies, if that happened, how can we be sure that there won't be armed uprising to topple to democratically elected government.
If Maoists' leadership doesn't change its chant of 'People's War' to the chant of good governance and democracy, we have to be wary of them. We have to be wary of their intentions. It is very easy to get misled when we are in trouble and somebody talks really nice with us. Maoists' are doing exactly the same thing.
Saying all this, I appreciate the CPN-M for bringing out the issues that were hidden for centuries and making it the topic of public discussion. I appreciate them for giving these issues a loud voice so that even those unwilling to hear are made to hear. But I unequivocally oppose their totalitarian and intolerant agenda they have been pursuing so far.
-------------------------
In the first paper in 'The Federalist Papers', Alexander Hamilton wrote:
"... a dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the forbidding appearance of zeal for the firmness and efficiency of government. History will teach us that the former has been found a much more certain road to the introduction of despotism than the latter, and that of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people, commencing demagogues and ending tyrants."
How many of the readers agree to this I don't know. But this made me think. Made me rethink about all the speeches and interviews Maoists' leaders are giving in recent days. In all of those speeches, only point they try to make is that they are fighting for the people. Whenever asked about their existing local governing bodies all over Nepal and whether they would be willing to dismantle them once they join the government, they never gave a clear cut answer.
We cannot handle two governments. Maoists' local governing bodies are still functioning even during the ceasefire. They are still abducting people without any explanations. This has to stop. Most of us agree, we need to restructure the political, economic, and adminstrative structure. That doesnot mean Maoists' can imose their will upon us over the strength of their gun. National restructuring is a big issue. It warrants an active national debate. Whatever they think is good, they have to provide justification for that. We should be allowed to rebuke them if we feel like they are wrong. Social issues are very complex for a small group of people to decide. Actually, that was the one of the main reasons hardcore communism failed everywhere in the world. They failed to account for the inherent inequality among humans. If they try to impose their will upon us, they are bound to fail this time again.
I have been thinking a lot about what can happen. Most of the time I am very positive and optimistic about the future. I believe 'Naya Nepal Sambhav Chha.' I believe that Maoists' leadership is sincere in the things they are saying. I don't see any reason to doubt them. But sometimes I get really scared. Violence is a culture. Once you are into it, it becomes a part of you. Both the armies we have are violent. Both of them have history of various Human Rights as well as Geneva Convention violations. Couple of weeks ago, RNA personnel abducted Sapna Gurung from her house, raped her and killed her by shooting at a point-blank range. Next day they killed five more people who went to protest Sapana's murder. On the other side, during the ceasefire, PA is involved in various abduction cases without any explanations.
Discussions about arms management are going on for some time among us. Mostly the thrust of the discussions is how to bring RNA under civil leadership. Occasionally, people bring out issues about Maoists' People's Army, its leadership, and its loyalty. RNA is trained to be loyal to royal family. PA is trained to be loyal to the party. My question is, how can we trust one over another? Not only before the Constituent Assembly Election, even after the election of Contituent Assembly. And even after the integration of both the armies, if that happened, how can we be sure that there won't be armed uprising to topple to democratically elected government.
If Maoists' leadership doesn't change its chant of 'People's War' to the chant of good governance and democracy, we have to be wary of them. We have to be wary of their intentions. It is very easy to get misled when we are in trouble and somebody talks really nice with us. Maoists' are doing exactly the same thing.
Saying all this, I appreciate the CPN-M for bringing out the issues that were hidden for centuries and making it the topic of public discussion. I appreciate them for giving these issues a loud voice so that even those unwilling to hear are made to hear. But I unequivocally oppose their totalitarian and intolerant agenda they have been pursuing so far.
posted by dipeshb at 1:12 AM
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